Apparatus for packaging materials



y 8, 1950 v I T. M. REIMERS 2,515,838

APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING MATERIALS Filed May 26, 1947 V 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 v @z I v .111 -Ff 1- Znwentor THE/JUNE M HE /[EH5 I (Ittorneg y 0 T. M. RE IMERS APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING MATERIALS Filed May 26, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet s IIHIII' 6.1. 4 63 9 Bill!!! I lli l 37 M W 57 arwcm bo'b 46 THEUDUR MRBIMERS July 18,1950 Q '1". M. REIMERS' 2,515,833

i APPARATUS FOR 'mcz gcme MATERIALS Filed'llay 26, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 18, 1950 T. M. REIMERS 2,515,838

APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING MATERIALS Filed ma 26, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 1&1

k 46 6 1 3 I15 -l4.- 8

INVENTOR. T550002 MFBJMBHS A TTY'.

Patented July 18, 1950 6 25153318 p I I 1 1 I APPARATUS 'FOR PACKAGING MATERIALS Q lheodor M.:; Reimers, Chicago; ills, to .,'StandardjCap and Seal Corporation, Chicago, f IlL, "afcorpor'ation of Virginia 7 i ApplicationMay 26, 194-7; Serial No. 750,417

invention relates for -v'packaging ;materials 3 and more especially to a methodand means --ior packaging-f0odstuffs-and the likewhereby the same arerincased in hermetically sealedwrappersor containers.-

The invention embraces amethod for inclosing K foodstufis or ;.similar materials in a wrapper or container-and subjecting.- the I filled wrapper :to a

source *of subatmospheric spressure I and'- subsequently sealing the-wrapper or container to maintain a'subatmospheric pressure therein. 1

"An object of "theinvention; is the provision of an apparatus for subjecting -.a plurality of wrappersorcontainers --fil1ed with materials to subatmospheric pressure and sealing the iilled-Wrapper-s sor -paokages -whi le thesame are subjected to or under the influence of 'suchreduced "pressure. p

Another object 'of the invention is the: provision of an -a1pparatus- -for impressing Suba'tmospheric 1:

or difierentia-l pressure upon the interior of a ilexible-rvvrapper-andsealingthewrappertomaintain-subatmospheric :pressure therein whereby the wrapper is held in 01058: contact 'wit-h 'the ma terials containedtherein under the ;--infiuence of atmospheric pressure. i p

Another object of the invention-resides in the provision of-an apparatus for-impressing sub"- atmospheric-= .pressure upon filled containers of flexible material in-which the containers are'carried-int-chambers formed in a relatively movable magazine having several sections, and -inwhich the arrangement is provided with mechanism broughtintooperation by movement of the "Ir'ia'ga zinegtovbring a section into operative sealing positiomfor automatically initiating the opera= tion of a: container vacuumizing and sealing "cycle.

.Another: object of the. invention "resides in the provision of an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing :filleol containers, in which themovement of a container carrying magazine section into "op erative position-initiates mechanism for effecting thevacuum-izing' andrsealing operations; "the-ap paratus being provided with electrical Y andrme' chanioaimean for establishing and initiating the .19Claims. (er-m m) to-methodand apparatus r the provision ofelectricallyenergizedsealing" a "merino-responsive*or"heat ealable i a erations being ycarried out upon "onev-rgroup-iof containers supported in one section, theoperator may deposit filled ;o'ontainers "in ranotlieri magazinesection preparatory to fsulisequentwevaccumiZing and sealing operations upon: the --containers supported in the. succeeding'rmagaziner sectibn, thus increasing "the efficiency =ofa-opa'ckaging ma' .c-hine'of-thischaracter. v

Another object lot-the inventionf'residesirln'the provision of 'means for interrupting *the vabu- 1 umizin' andi'sealing operations tH--event 'the t for any reason an --insufiicien"t vacuum isi'inrpre'ss'ediupon'thefilledcontainers.

Still another iobjectpf thermvention resides wrap er or: containe diirihgthe impression Fsubatmospheric pressure or s'uBstantiaI -i -upon the 'containis. f: v v stziil'a "-fufithi hbjldt "the "invention l U provision 01 ja'magazine Se'dfi vacufimizmg =and"seal in'g;1nac' n chambers adapted" to acco1iiiiiodate-fiiolds o refcept'ales or ere'htsizesifi 'drdefFto adaprtne rilechafnsrn for operation upon filled containers orvari oussizes "n'd shapes. V M

. Furt er ob'je ts andadvai tag'sfar within the "s co'pepi' this vehtion suchas" relate to the armay be preferred, in which;

, Fi 'uje 1' s a vertical lon itudinal ieievatidnal v woftnea pparatus rvaeumam and seal. mg i llled containers, certain parts being shown in Figure ;2. is end eleyati'onal vi' tithe ma. Figural with; housingl'poitions h e so own'i hb'wi i 3 fi ih a Ii aFi'gure '3 isga vertical sectionalview taken sub-.- stantially 0n ftheeline 3-3 of Fligure; 11;

same ma'y'be found to have utility.

Figure 11 is a sectional view of the cam means,

taken substantially on the line ll--|| of Figure l;

Figure 12 is a horizontal detail sectional View taken substantially on the line l2- l2 of Figure 1;

Figure 13 is an isometric view showing a type of mold arranged to be disposed in container supporting magazine and is configurated to accommodate a particular size of container, and Figure 14 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuits and co'ntrol'm'echanism for the apparatus.

While -I have illustrated the apparatus of my invention as utilized for vacuumizing and sealing flexible wrappers or containers adapted to contain foodstuffs andthe like, it is to be understood thatI contemplate the use of the method and apparatus of my invention wherever the --Referring:to the drawings in detail and particularly with respect to. Figures '1 and 2, the apparatus isinclusive of. a-rbase or base plate ||l upon which is mounted upright frame or frame members I I and a| 2,- the uprights being secured to base plate In by means'of bolts M. The frame member |,|.-'is-v formed with pairs .of laterally spacedzbosses 5, and the-frame member I2 is similarlyformed with pairs of laterally spaced bosses l6. The pairs of bosses l5 and I6 are formed with vertical bores adaptedto slidably receivepairs of vertical rods or shafts 2| and 22. The upperextremities ofthe rods 2|- and 22 extend into boresformed in boss portions 24 integrally. formed at the ends of a member 25 ex- .tendipgbetween. the pairs of; rods. The rods 2| and 22 are fixedly secured to the bridge member ,25;;by means of pins 26 or other suitable retaining means. Slidably mounted upon the rods 2|, and 22 is-;a head structure 29 which contains a chamber adapted to be connectedwith a vacuum producingv means,v the. chamber containing a thermo-sealingYme-ans; the construction and arrangement of which will be hereinafter described. The sealing head is supported upon the rods. 2| and 22 .by meansof collars 3| secured to therods'.

p The arrangementof myinvention is inclusive of a means ,onfi a a' ineiw adapted. to contain a plurality of. filledwrappersor'containers upon.

which vacuumizing'and'sealin'g operations are to be performed. In the embodiment illustrated, the 'maga'zine30is'inclusive ofla plurality of sec-. tions'31 which are arranged for successive move-, ment intocontainervacuumizing and sealing pO- sition. The frame members j| and l 2 arev each provided with a boss 32 which is bored to receive a bearing member'33; the bearing members forming' 'journals in. which is rotatably mounted a shaft 34,thelatter providinga supporting means for the magazine 3Q. Mounted upon the shaft is an abutment collar 35' pinned or otherwise secured thereto'in'order to prevent endwise movement of the shaft 34 in a left hand direction as viewed in'Figure' 1. Mounted upon the shaft 34 is a pair of spaced hubimemb'ers or blocks36' which are of polygonal shape and having facets equal to the number of magazine sections 31 comprising the container carrying means. In the embodiment illustrated there are five magazine sections so that the hub members 36 are each formed with five sections supporting facets. Each of the magazine sections 31 is formed with boss portions 43 adapted to fit upon one pair of aligned facets of the hub members as shown in Figure 1, the sections being secured to the hub members by means of bolts 45. As illustrated in Figure l, the foremost magazine section is shown broken away to facilitate illustrating the magazine section supporting means.

Each magazine section is formed at its upper portion with a laterally extending flange 46 which is adapted to be engaged by a gasket 68 carried by the head 29, in a manner and for a purpose to be hereinafter explained. Each magazine section 37 is formed with a plurality of chambers 49 which are adapted to individually receive mold blocks 50, the latter being 'of a shape to accommodate flexible filled wrappers or containers of a particular size. One of the mold blocks of the character used is'illustrated in Figure 13. Each of the mold blocks is interiorally formed with a chamber or space 5| of a shape to accommodate a particular size of container, it being understood that different mold blocks having different shaped interiors may be utilized to accommodate wrappers or containers of different sizes and shapes. By this means the machine or apparatus may be used for vacuumizing and sealing many different sizes and shapes of packages by simply utilizing molds 50 having recesses or chambers of proper size and shape. Each chamber 49 in a magazine section is formed at its mouth portion to receive a plate 52 which is held inplace by means of screws 53, the plates serving to hold the molds 50 in position in the magazine section. I have found that mold blocks fabricated of wood have been satisfactory, but it is to be understood that the individual mold blocks may beformed' of any suitable plastic, metal or other suitable material.

As shown in Figure 7 the upper portion of each magazine section is formed with two series of projecting bosses 56 and 51 which are bored to receive rods 58 and 59. The rod 58 forms a pintle for hingedly supporting the members or flaps 60, there being a flap 6!! for each chamber in a magazine section. The flaps are each provided with a longitudinal extending platen or pad 6 I preferably formed of rubber or other suit able or yieldable material, the same forming a backing pad or bar for supporting or engaging portions of the packaging container during sealing operations in a manner to be hereinafter explained. The shaft 59 forms a pintle for hingedly supporting an elongated flap Or member 63 which extends substantially the length of a magazine section as shown in Figure 1. The outer longitudinal'edge of the flap or member 63 is formed with an offset portion 64 which engages the upper ends of the wrappers or containers and overlaps the terminus portion of each of the flaps 60 as shown in Figure '7.

In utilizin the apparatus of my invention, an envelope, wrapperor container enclosing 'a commodity and which is to be vacuumized and sealed is preferably fabricated of flexible material which may be readily and quickly sealed to provide an hermetically closed package. I have found that an envelope or container formed of material having thermo-plastic or thermo-sealable properties issatisfactory .--for. the; urpose. There are silient pads St, the container. .beingin'thisposition2 immediately prior tothetsmovem'ent' ofthe tion and prior t0.=: the initiation of -th e. sealing operation. J q i In carrying-out the vacuumizing process, I havee provided' vmeans 'for, impressing a subatmospheric or differential, pressure upon the chambers in-ya magazine-section,- which low pressure or-substantial vacuum will'beiefiective upon the interiorof :the filled; containers. In this connection the -:head- '2-9 is formed .witha rectangular member 61 having a hollow interior or chamber-'arrangedgtoibe connectedxto a source of subatmospheric: pressure. iThe lowerface of--the of rectangular configuration iwithin which is adapted-to be disposed a resili'e'ntvgasket .or-seal- 'i-ngelement '68. whenz'thevmember-fil is moved downwardly, the gasket-68vseats upon the upper surface of the flange 16 so astoform'a hermetic joints-for the interior of thes-magazine'section in head 29'into: engagement withrtheamagazinesecalignment with .thehe'ad '28.. -Thus when reduced pressure is effective. within the interior :of the member 61, such LFBdHCEd' pressureds impressed .upon'the. contents of the containers 'in the magazine section which is in engagement with the gasket'68. 1

The chamber or hollow interiorof thei-member .61 is arranged to :be connected 'to a suitable source ofsubatmospher-iepressure---or-- vacuum producing means. .To this end. an -.L-shaped fitting .10 is connected bymeans of a flexible-conduit 'H to a second .fittingcll, the1latter-=being connected by means of altub'e-zor. conduit 13' with a valve housing 15., The *valve housing. 15' :is provided with a tubularfittinglit-adapted to be connected-to a vacuum pump-.01 means'for-producing a, subatmospherio pressure .(not shown). The valve housingJS is figedlymounted upon bosses Tl formed.orr thecbase plate lll. ;-.'he. interior mechanism .of, the valve v is illustrated Tin Figure. 4, and includes 1 rotary, .valve (member .19 which is preferably of rfrusto-lconical formation .and is adapted to be. received tin, a: seat of reciprocal shape. The end of rthe :housing adja- .cent the largenend of valve member L9v is closed by means-ofa plate-B0 held 'rrplaceeby;zscrews .81. The.-valve member 'tQa-is axially bored-to accommodate r-all expansive coil -spring 82 for urging the valve memberl9 :intoyproper con.- .tact .with the. :valve seat, The. valve--member 19 is iormed; with .Ta central. bridge or-vane 83 which forms channels or .erecesses 84 .the;-. latter being-adaptedmto cooperate with tube t3, the'tube 1.6- and a vent orbleedopening a5 fore alternately :maintaining the Vacuum {on subatmosphfiric pressure effective upon-the-head =29 and-at a Pier.

.determined period-.during the cycle otpperations, to interrupt" the (impression:ofsreducedl' pressure (m-vacuum cm the headland vent theisam'e :tdithe atmosphere to breaktthe vacuum. The tube 13 is; also connected by means of a duct or tube 81 withapressure responsive valve 9'! which may beqof any conventional construction. The valve 91 containsswitch mechanism (not shown) responsive to a pro-determined vacuum or subatmospheric pressure existent in the system arranged to: complete the motor circuit for initiating further operation of the machine during.

vacuumizing"andsealing operations in a manner to;be hereinafter explained.

The apparatus is inclusive of a thermo means for-heat sealing the laminae of the wrappers or containers after a pre-determined degree of relarly disposed or canted into parallelism with the.

upper surface of the resilient backing members 6| so as-to provide a fullgarea of contact or close engagement for the laminations of the container to effect a thermo-seal between these laminations.

The sealin bar 88 is of hollow configuration and the 'interior'of the bar is arranged to receive and accommodate electric. heating units 9|] which are connected to a suitable junction plate 92 which, in turn, 'is connected to a source of electrical"energy. As shown in Figure 1, an end of the member 61 is provided with a thermoresponsive element94 connected to an indicator 95 for indicating the temperature of the heat sealing bar. The heating elements are connected with a suitable pilot light'Qfi for giving a visual indication when the elements areenergized.

The bar 88 is supported from bridge member 25 by'means' of vertical rods '91 which have threaded portions 98' engaging in member 99 which are held in place by plates lot. The rods 91 extend upwardly through bosses H)! which are provided with stuffing or sealing glands I02 so'that air will not seep into the head 22 which condition would otherwise impair the formation of vacuum or reduced pressure. Theupper por tion of the rods are threaded, and monted upon the threaded portions above and below the member 2 5' are adjusting members or collars I04 which are threadedly received upon the rods. The collars HM are provided with set screws W5 for locking the collars inadjusted position. By means of this adjustment'the relative position ofthe' heat sealing -bar"88 nlay be regulated so that the shoe portion -89-is brought into contacting engagement with the laminations of the flexible container disposed in overlapping relationship on theresilient pads or'barslil during asealing operation. I v

Mounted upont hehead' 2291s a suitable plate or 'frame lfll'provi'dedwith an indicator or gage 108 conn'ected by' means of a fitting I89 with'th'e chamber in member'lil for indicating the pressurein theinteriorof the member 6?.

The movable mechanism of the apparatus is driven by a motor H l, the' -pe'destal portion of which is-mounted upon and secured to the base platell]; Extending axially of the motor HI is a'housing -'l-|'4- which encloses suitable reduction gearing (not shown) operated by the motor HI. The gearing in housing 1M drives :a shaft I I5 at a' comparatively :slow speed. Mounted upon the sshaft H5 -1 is.: a: sprocket .I Hi which is con ne'cted by means of a chain II1 with-a second sprocket IIB, the latter being of comparatively large size and is mounted upon a shaft II9. Secured to the upright frame member I2 is a bracket I20 held to the frame member by means of bolts I2I. The shaft H9 is journaled in bearings I22 carried respectively in bracket I20 and a boss I23 formed integrally with the upright frame member I 2.

The sprocket H8 is provided with a hub I 26 supporting a disc-like member or cam I21 by means of bolts I25. The disc I 21 may be adjusted about the axis of shaft H9 by reason of slots (not shown) contained in the disc and accommodating locking bolts I25. The disc I21 is provided with a land or dwell I28 and a second land or dwell I29 for controlling the operation of'a micro-switch I30. The housing containing the micro-switch I30 is mounted upon an arm I3I of'bracket I20. The housing of micro-switch I30 supports an arm I32 from which depends a swingable member I33 to the lower extremity of which is journaled a cam follower or roller I34, the latter being arranged for engagement with the periphery or cam surface of the disc-like member I21. The micro-switch is provided with a slidable plunger I35 and surrounding the plunger I35 isa coil spring I36 which is disposed between the arm I33 and a nut I31 which secures the member I32 to the housing of the micro-switch. This spring serves to urge the arm I33 in a direction to bring the roller or cam follower I34 into engagement with the periphery of the disc I21. The function of this mechanism will be hereinafter explained.

The apparatus is inclusive of means for actuating or moving the head 29 vertically to bring the latter into engagement with a magazine section and for moving the sealing bar '88 into engagement with the laminations of the containers or wrappers during the heat sealing operations. This means is inclusive of a cam member I39 having a hub portion 440 secured to the shaft US by means of a key MI. The member I39 is provided with an axially extending peripheral flange portion I43 and a second axially extending flange or raised portion I44 spaced from the flange portion I 43. The inner wall I46 of flange I43 and outermost wall I41 of the raised portion I44 form cam surfaces for controlling or guiding the radial movement of a roller or cam follower I48. As shown in Figure the cam walls or surfaces I45-I41 are provided with inwardly directed cam surfaces I50-I5I, dwells I52-I53, canted surfaces I 54I55, another set of cam surfaces I56I51 and a further set of angularly disposed or canted surfaces I58I59.

The cam follower or roller I48 is journaled upon a pin I62 secured to the mid-portion of an arm or lever I63, the latter being provided at one end with a bore adapted to receive a pin or stub shaft I64, the pin I64 being journaled in bearings mounted in a pedestal or support I65. The pedestal is secured by means of bolts I66 to bosses I61 formed on the base plate I0. The lever I63 is arranged for oscillatory movement about the axis of the stub shaft I64. The lever I63 is pivotally connected at its other extremity by means of a shaft or bolt I69 to the lower end of the link or member I10. The upper end of the link I10 is pivotally connected by means of a bolt or shaft I II with the end of an arm I12. The arm I12 is received upon one end of a shaft I14 and is fixedly secured thereto by means of a key I15. Mounted upon shaft I14 are spaced arms I16-I11, as shown in Figure 1,'which'are secured to the shaft by means'of keys I18, one of which is shown in Figure 12. Mounted upon each of the pairs of vertical rods 2I and 22 are connecting members I 'and NH, the members being provided with bosses which are bored to accommodate the vertically extending rods which are pinned thereto by means of dowels I82.' The extremities of arms I16I11 are bored to accommodate bolts or threaded members I83, the threaded portions of which extend into threaded openings provided in the respective central portions of members I80 and I 8I. In this manner the arms I16 and I11 are pivotally connected to the members I80'and I8I respectively.

The walls I46 and I41 of cam member I39 connecting cam surfaces I50-I5I with cam surfaces I58I59 are formed as radii generated about the axis of shaft II9 so that during this peripheral distance of the cam, the cam follower or roller I48 remains in a relatively static position so that there is no relative vertical movement imparted to the head 29. The several cam surfaces disposed in the remainder of the member I39 cause vertical movements of thehead 29 in a manner and forpurposes to be hereinafter explained. I

The member I39 is integrally formed with spaced L-shaped projections I 86I81, each of which is provided with a threaded opening to receive a bolt I88 upon which are respectively mounted rollers I89 and I90. As shown in Figure 4 the vacuum controlling valve 19 is provided with a tenon I93 upon which is mounted member I94 of general configuration of a Geneva wheel. During rotation of the member I39, the rollers I89 and I successively engage the member I94 to move the valve member 19 through an angular distance of approximately 90 degrees to periodically render the vacuum effective and ineffective to the head 29. I

Means are also provided for locking the magazine with a magazine section in vacuumizing and sealing position and for initiating a vacuumizing and container sealing cycle. In the em bodiment illustrated, I have provided foot operated means for efiecting a releaseof locking means for the container magazine. The frame member or upright I2 is provided with boss portions I91 and I98 which are bored to accommodate a horizontally disposed shaft I99. Mounted upon a projecting extremity of shaft I 99 is a foot lever or treadle 200 having a foot pad portion 20I. The member200 is urgedtoward its uppermost position under the influence of a coil spring 202. Also mounted upon the shaft I99 intermediate the bosses I91, I98 is an arm 203 pinned or otherwise secured to the shaft. The arm 203 is pivotally connected at its extremity by means of a pin 204" with a vertically extending bar or link 205, the upper end of which is pivotally connected to a lever or member 206 by means of a pivot pin 201 as shown in Figures 3 and 5. Also pivotally supported u'pon pin 201 is a pendulated dog orlatch member 208. Secured upon the shaft 34 is a disc-like member 2I0 formed with spaced projections or teeth 2| I, the number of projections being equal to the number of magazine sections, viz., in the embodiment shown there being five magazine sections and five projections. The latch member 208 is arranged to cooperate with the projections 2 to prevent inadvertent reverse movement of the container magazine by the operator. The member 1206. .pivoted-iupon: a bolt 214 2-1-1- fixedly carried-bymember 206 which is adaptedtoseat'in a recess -2l6 to retain a magazi'ne section'in properpoSition to accommodate the head 29;

v Mounted adjacent'thedever member-206 is a plate 219 arranged for vertical slidable movement with respect to the *framemember l2. The

plate-is configurated- "with slots 220 and 22! adapted to respectively -receive bolts- 2'22 and 223, the slots permitting limited vertical movement of the plate 2L9. Secured to thepl'ate 219 is a micro-switch 224' "having a switchplunger 225. Also-secured to -the micro-switch housingis a bracket 226 retained in placebymeans of screws 221. The bracket 226 has a dependingportion 228, thellower end of-w-hi'ch is provided witha bolt 229 uponwhich is journaled a-roller 230 as shown in Figure 5. The roller 230 'is-disposed in the pathof p'rojections H-t formed on-disc 2H] and is .a'dapted to be moved in vertical directiondur- 'ing .rotationof disc 2H1 underthe influence of theiprojections 2 l l.- In thismanner theplate l9, -micro-switch5224 and bracket 226 are'periodically .zmovedin a vertical direction. -A coil spring 238 disposed between the head ofibo1t-222 and plate 2& provides aifrictional Y component 'sufiicient -to retainthe. plate inits uppermost position until the .sameiis moved. downwardly ibyxlmeans -hereinafterv described; Mounted uponsshait 34 ":is an .armor trigger; 232;:said arm being arranged:ifo-r oscillatory. movement about :the: axisaof shaft 34. Thesmember 206 is provided "'withanan'gularly :disposed slot: 233 adapted to accommodate a roller-234.journa1ed. upon: asuitable bolt or: pin 235 threaded into an opening in the trigger or member 232; The upper. portion of "arm 232 "is formed with ananvil236 whichis adapted,-under certain conditions of operation, to engage and depress-the micro-switchlplunger" 2-25. The portion of arm 232, immediately beneath r anvil :2 36 is recessed'as at23'l to permit. retractivexmovementof plunger 225 without re-engaging the member 232. The frame upright l2zis formed with aboss portion 240'having ithreaded'gopenings arranged toreceive a bolt- 24 I The "member1206 .is :provided with a slot242 T to accommodater-the bolt 241, .the latter serving .to guide the member 206 during oscillatory movements thereof. 5

Means are" provided for periodically:moving'the slidable plate H9 and elements carried thereby to their'lower most.positionsl Rodi 22 is'formed with a. threaded opening adapted to receivea bo1t-. 2.4.4. The bolt-244zsupports an L-shaped bracket :orpawl 245; the latter being arranged to .oscillate' aboutxthe :axis of bolt 244. The bracket-245 is'provi'ded with'a shoulder 246 which is'arranged' whereby upon downward movement of rod 22, thesamewill'engage a 'projection'or lug 248 carried=by member .226; "The'swinging movementof pawl 2'45 is' limited' in one direction by" means of an abutment orpin 249 *carried by the-supporting rod '22; Limiting means is also provided for disengaging shoulder 246"from lug :248 on member 2 2 6 so as to prevent damage to the 1 mechanism in the i'event that the"rod "22 moves downwardly -an abnormal distance'during merit: of -the slidable plate 2| 9 operations: To this=end the frame memseali'ng ber 2 provided withfastop member 250arrangednna'path-of anarm' orledge 25l'integrally formed on' bracket-245Z Thus when the bracket '2 45 m engagementwithlu'g -248has moved downwa'rdly a predetermined distance, the-arm 25'! "will strike the stop' member 25!! causing bracket 2-45 to swi'ng'i-na counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 5- to disengage shoulder 246 from lug 248. 2B3!" thismeans downward moveand parts carried therebyisthus-limited. -Electrical-connections-are made to a junction mounted upon the upright frame memfbr lfias shcwn-in-Figure 1. Adiagrammatic 'view citric-electrical circuits is shown in Figure '*-1 4'-"in= which the power line indicated at 26ll--26l enters the junction box 254. One side of the power-line is c onnected by'means of a conductor 2-62 'witli 'the motor H -l;th'eothenconductor 263 -1T rom"the-motor being connected with the micro- 'switch-'-l30 The-micros'witch 224 is connected in-parallel with 'microswitch by means 'of current conductors 265--and 266. The other side "of thepowerline' is connected by means of con- "cluctor Z'ilY I' 'W"ith-the'microswitch I30 and conductor 265 11 Thevacuu'mactuated switch mechanism "3-! is s'hunted across the circuit leading to the 'microswi'tch 139 5 Also-arranged in parallelism witli thevacuumcperatedswitch' 9! is an emergeney star-ting switch 26-8. The heating. elements SW-cOntaii-ied within" the sealing bar 88 are connected to one-side ofthe power line by "means or conductors 26 95210 and 2;! I. Ajpilotlight 36 is 'i'ritercalated-in circuit'with the heat elements.

onductor 261 is connectedto a thermo-controllm'g switch- 214 by means of conductor 215, *the sw mmers 'being'connected to the heating elements fill by'conductors 213 and 216 for main- 'taining-a' predetermined temperature of the heating elements. V g j The 'ts eries of operationsand the sequence thereof inwa'cuumizing and sealing a set of filled containers in on'e magazine section is .asfollows: "The cont/ai'ners of heat scalable flexible material whichiha've been previously .fill'ed with fo'odstufis or other: commodities to be sealed 'thjerein are delivered by means of a chute (not :SilQWIlTiJOf'QZpqsitlOn adjacentthe machine. The operator ispreferablyseated so as to be in a position to conveniently place filled containers in the magazinesections, 31 and also, to rotatethe magazine about the axiseoff. shaft 34. The operator'lfirst'placesfilled containers in the magazine section BTthat extendslangularly upwardly and tolthe left .as viewed in [Figure- 2. V The operator swings themembersJ66and63 about their hinges toohe'n position exposing. the mouths: of molds L5H. )Thel pe'ratonthen inserts a filled 1 container intofeachrmoldebloclein one magazine section; As each container is placed in a mold, .the'opera- .tbns'wihgsthei hingedrnember fill-into the position shownfin, Figure .7, and arranges the projec'tih aminationslot thecontainer so that-they overl ethejresilient',pad Bl, son member, 60. After the; i'seyeral" molds .of "a section. receive the filled ,QQntainers, the' operator. swings .the hinged memlberor retainerjfi itolthe position show-min Figure'7i causing the laminations of each container to lie in" parallelism with'padsfil .as'shownlin Figures 2 and 7'. a f "The operator then grasps the next succeeding magazinesectionyviz.; as shown in Figure' 2, being the section extending downwardly a, left 'hand "direction, and depressesthe foot lever "or .treadle 299. This movement of the lever 200 .moves link 295 downwardly, oscillating member 206about the pivot shaft 2 I4 in a counter-clockw ise direction as viewed in Figures 3 and 5. This .actionelevates the pawl or detent 2I1 out of a recess2I6, thus releasin the magazine for rotation about the shaft 34. After this release has :beeneffected, the operator manually rotates the magazine in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2 to bring the section provided with filled containers into registration with the sealing head 29. This movement of the magazine rotates the disc 2) to bring the next succeeding pro- .jection 2 into engagement with the roller 230 carried-by the depending portion 228 of bracket 226. The projection 2II acts on theroller 230 causing the plate 219 and parts carried thereby .to move upwardly. When the operator depresses thetreadle 290, the arm 232 is swung in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 5, under the influence of the slot 233 acting'on roller 234. As

the filled magazine section moves into registrationWith head 29, the operator having released foot pressure on treadle 209,. the lever or bar 296 is urgedto pivot in'a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 5, under the influence of the treadlespring 202, causing pawl or detent 2I1 Qto seatv in the adjacent recess 2H; and lock the magazine in position. As the bar 296 returns to 'its normal position as in Figure 5, the arm or trigger, 232 moves counter-clockwise to bring the anvil portion 236 thereof into engagement with the plunger 225, depressing the latter to close the motor circuit through this switch. Thus with micro-switch 224 closed, the motor is energizedv causing cam member I39 to be rotated through the sprockets II 6, H8 and chain H1. The rotation of cam member I39 causes the cam sju rface I shown in Figure 8 to move the cam follower or roller I48 downwardly to move lever I63 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figures 2 and 8. This action causes downward movement of link I19 to oscillate arm I12 and rotate shaft I14 causing downward movement of arms I16, I11 and corresponding downward movement of members I80--I8I. and rods '2I and 22 to move the bridge member 25 downwardly. The downward movement of bridge member 25 compresses the springs 28 causing the head 29 to move downwardly with the rods 2| and 22 until the sealing gasket68 engages the platen or flange 46 formed on the magazine section so as to effect an hermetic seal between such magazine section and the head 29. As soon as the head 29 is in its lowered position with the gasket 68 in engagement with the magazine section, the roller I 89, by reason of rotation of cam member I39, engages one of the projections of the Geneva wheel or member I94 to rotate the vacuum controlling valve 19 through an angular distance of 90 degrees so as to render the vacuum which is effective in the tube 16 from a continuously operating vacuum pump to be impressed through tube 13 to the hollow interior of i the member 61 forming a part of the head structure 29. The subatmospheric pressure or vacuum in the chamber is then effective throughactingpn the. cam roller "I48. When the ;.dise 21 has rotated to bring the dwell I29 adjacent microswitch I39 the latterswitch is opened. During the period inwhich the bridge member'25 and heads 29 are moved downwardly, the" pawl or latch member 246 engages the lug 248 on bracket 226 to move the latter including plate 2 I9 and microswitch plunger 225 out of contactwith the anvil 236 on the trigger member 232. This action opens the microswitch 224 so that when microswitch .I30 is opened in the manner above described, both microswitches are opened and the motor ceases rotation. -The impression ofvacuum or reduced pressure continues however until the desired degree of pressure is secured. When this condition is attained, the vacuum or pressure controlled switch 9| is closed to again complete the motor circuit and start the motor III. Restarting the motor causes member I39 to rotate, bringing cam surface I58 to contact with collar I48 to move the latter further downwardly, This results in also moving rods 2I, 22 and bridge member 25 further-downwardly. As the bridge member 25 carries the sealing bar 88 through the medium of the supporting rods 91, the sealing bar is thus moved downwardly bringing the pressure shoe 89 thereof into contact with the laminations of the filled containers over-.- lying the resilient pads 6|. As the heating bar '88 and pressure shoe 89 are heated under the influence of the electric heating units 90, the adjacent laminations of the containers are fused or sealed together with a subatmospheric pressure or vacuum condition existent within the filled containers. At the termination of the container sealing operation viz., while roller I48 is in contact with surfaces I55, I51, the roller I90 engages another arm or projection on the Geneva wheel I94 to move valve 19 through an angular distance of 90 degrees. This movement of the valve interrupts the vacuum condition in the .tube..13, head 29 and mold blocks and vents the tube'and head to the atmosphere so as to eliminatc the vacuum previously formed therein by equalizing the pressure within the chamber in the head. At this point the cam surface I55 engages thecam. follower I48, and through the medium of rods 2| and'22 and the mechanism connecting said rods to the lever I63, the head 29; bridge member '25 and sealing bar carried thereby are moved to their upper-most or initial positions. The microswitchl39 maintains the motor III in operation until after the head 29 has been returned to normal position at which time the microswitch I39 is disconnected by reason of the movement ofdisc I21 bringing the dwell I28 into juxtaposition with roller I34 associated with the microswitch and break or interrupt the motor circuit.

During the period inwhich the foregoing sequence of operations is carried on by the apparatus of my inventionpthe operator is engaged in depositing filled containers in the next succeeding magazine section. At the completion of a cycle of operations ofthe apparatus as above described, the operator again depresses the foot lever 200, releasing the detent 2I1 on lever 206 from engagement with recess 2I6 in disc 2I5. This action again frees the container carrying magazine so that the operator may manually rotate the magazine through of a revolution in order to bring the next succeeding magazine section 31 into alignment or registration with the vacuumizing and sealing head 29. Thecycle of operations previously described is again repeated.

head. 7 i

closing containers including,;in con bination eg-erases: I

1 3 Aiterrtlie magazine :sec't'ion ha s' been niofiedito a position": wherein" the scale on'tainers :the'rein is encou the motor stopped melee-made 2'5'4,--the '=operat6i & e'ri-i'er'g'ncy switch- 258 restart the Motor.

It is apparent that, v vithin vention modifications d the-present disclosure 1 merely; the invention comprehending all vari'a ions thereof; What-I claimis: n 1

1. An apparatus for closing containers h eluding a frame a I magazinejhaving a pluralr y of Sections arranged'infik l fre l tions'hipfland supported upon a rotatable; shaft mo'veinent about a horizontal axisjfe ach of sazdnia'g'azir'ie sections being formed with a mumm of c arm- .bersadapte'd to receive. accomrfiodat cam t'ainerstobe closed; jnieansi or indexing t ma i azine toseveral positions; a headimov'a'bly mounted upon said f me; means; for moving said' head into engagementwith a magazine seemam alignment therewith; means for "estab- Iishing" a differential pressure in said 'h'eadand effective in said "chamber and container disposed therein; "a containerclo sing v shoe associated "with said head;"r'ne'an's operable "upon said shoe for moving the latter into engagement With atoll t'ainer while "said airfrenmarpressure is {effective upon the container; said 'head adapted "to "be dis engaged from a magazinefsection' after cciirfpletionof a containerclosing operation, andfnieans for -'releasing the magazine \ivhereby" the latter irig -ariotlie'rfs'e'ction thereof 7 maybe-moved *to A into registration with said head; v y y I 2. An apparatusfor-'sealin fiexible containers includingafraniqainagazine fdrined-witlr'a'plu-e ral ityb'f radiallydisposed seen-ens j ournale'd up hf a single rotatable'shaft 'fori'movenient- 'ab'oii a horizontal axis; each of sai d'i ag ane sectidns' being-formed with chambe'rs "each-"chamber adapted to receive and accommodate a flexible container; a 'headc'n'iovably fmouiited upon said frame; means for ni'oyingsaid head intb' eiiga'gef ment with a magazine'section in "alignment therewith; rne'ansror "establis'li'i pressure in "Said head and effective in." her and container disposed th'r sealin shoe associated Withsaid 'headin as prable upo'n's'ai'd shoefdr mevingjtheiaar toseali'ngi engagement with adfitai ne'r 'hilesaid differential f pressure is effective upon "said container; saidhead adapted to be "dieehgage r pma maga-. zine section after completion goga container sealing operation, and means for releasing the, maga zine whereby another. section thereof inay be successively 1 moved intoregi'stration withj-said 3. An apparatus for extracting-.rair pfrbln I and closing' the containers to maintain a subatr ne's' 'phericpressure therein. I

4. An apparatus fdrperfor ming closure operations upon containers comprising a frame; a rotatable shaft mounted horizontally upon said fra-rnej a n'iaga'zin'e ad'a-ptedfor receiving and 15 supporting containers mounted upon said shaft;

said container carrying magazine being revoluble' about a single-axis formed by sai-d 'shaft; said magazine being formed with radially arranged i chambers adapted for receive'r conta'mers; means 20' periodically movable into engagement with the magazine and adapted to establish a hermetb cally tight connection with said magaaine; means -forimpressi'ng differential pressure "in the com tain'ers disposedin said magazine, and means for closing the'containers in said magazine chambers while said containers are under the influence of difierentialwpressure.

Apparatus for hermetically" sealing and packaging commodities including a verticalsu-p- -porting frame; a container-carrying magazine r'nounted: upon said frame and arrangedier revoluble movement about-a horizontal-axis, saidmagazine having radially arran'gecl sections-{ eachsection being formed with a 'plurality of charm-- bers each adapted 'to receive a "container;--a movable headv mounted upon'saidframe; said magazine being arranged whereby the sectionsbe after the cornpletionof "a container sealingoperation. a y

6 FApparatu's for 'liermti'cally -sealing and packaging coiniiioditi'es" including a supporting frame; a' container c'arrying rnagazine nioun ted up .:g ,,i franie --andarranged for -'revol1ible'- movement abeuta horizontal-axis, sa-i magazine having r'a'dially: ar'rarig'ed; and circumferential-1 y spaced: sections, each section being fermed we a plurality ef chambers, each chamber adapte o recive: a cdnt'aine'rg a i n'mrablehead amounted upon safd'fr'ame; said na'gazine'being arranged whereby the sections thereof may be c'on's'cutivelysbrought 1 mm registration with said head; mea'i'is for 'periodically causing 1 inzeFeagagemeri-r; between said head and a "magazine section-to provideia hermetically tight joint; -mea'ns ac-ting through -said"'head -and effective-on the chamber of a *S'ectioflih alignment With the head for chamber; ineans renderedeifetive' Whi-le -said chambers are subjected.to subatmdspheric pre'ssure for sealing a'plurality ofcontai'riersin-t s id chambers whereby (a sukiatmosphericz pressure 116: thereby maintainedin the-containers "means-for" gree of subatmospheric pressure 'for hermetically means for edual-izin'gthe pressure in said chainestablishing: a subatrnospheric pressure in said equalizing the pressure in said chambers after the completion of the container sealing operation; and electrically drivenmeans for initiating'the impression of subatmospheric pressure upon the containers and actuating said container sealing means.

'7. In combination, a frame; a horizontalshaft mounted in said frame; a magazine revolubly mounted with said shaft; said magazine being formed with a plurality of radially arranged sections; said sections arranged with a plurality of chambers; said magazine being mounted whereby the same is arranged for movement to bring the chambers of a section successively to a vacuumizing station; means including a head arranged for movement into and out of engage-- ment with one of said sections; cam means for actuating said head, and electrically operated means for driving and controlling the movement of said cam means.

8. In combination, a frame; a magazine revolubly mounted on a horizontal shaft rotatably mounted on said frame; said magazine being formed with a plurality of radially arranged sections; said sections arranged with a plurality of chambers adapted to receive, containers to be sealed; said magazine being mounted whereby the same is arranged for movement to bring the chambers successively to a vacuumizing station; means including a head arranged for movement into and out of engagement with one of said sections; cam means for actuating said head; electrically operated means for driving and controlling the movement of said cam means; means for impressing a subatmospheric pressure upon said chambers and containers, and pressure-responsive electrically-actuated means for controlling the duration of subatmospheric pressure on the chambers.

9. In combination, a frame; a horizontal shaft mounted on said frame; a magazine having a plurality of sections; said sections having compartments formed therein; a head movably mounted upon said frame; said magazine being arranged for relative movement whereby said sections may be consecutively brought into registration with said head; cam means for periodically moving said head vertically into engagement with one of said sections; means for impressing a subatmospheric pressure in said head and the compartment in said magazine in registration with said head; a container sealing means associated with said head; said sealing means arranged to be brought into engagement with a container in a compartment of said magazine while the latter is under the influence of subatmospheric pressure; said container sealing means arranged to be actuated by said cam means, and electrically actuated means for controlling the operation of said cam means.

10. Apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing flexible containers comprising in combination a frame; a magazine mounted upon a horizontal, rotatable shaft mounted in said frame and arranged for relative movement; means for moving said magazine to several positions; means for locking the magazine in 'each such position; means for releasing said locking means whereby the magazine may be consecutively moved to several positions; said magazine having a plurality of sections; said sections having a plurality of chambers; means including a head reciprocable upon said frame and arranged for periodic engagement with said sections; means acting throughsaid head for impressing a sub.-.

atmospheric.- pressure in. the compartment in. said magazine in registration with said head; a heated container-sealing element associated with said head and adapted to be moved into engagement with a container in a chamber for hermetically sealingsaid container while the latter is under the influence of subatmospheric pressure, andpressure responsive means controlled by the degree of subatmospheric pressure impressedin the magazine compartment for initiating the actuation of the sealing bar toward sealing position.

11. Apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing flexible containers comprising in combination a frame; a magazine mounted upon a horizontal shaft mounted in said frame and arranged for relative movement; said magazine being arranged with a plurality of sections and arranged for movement to several positions; means for inde'xin'g andlocking' .the sections in each such position; means under control of the operator for releasing said locking means whereby the operator 'may move said section to successive positions; 's'aid section having a plurality of chambers; means including a head reciprocable upon said frame and arranged for periodic engagement with 'said section; means acting through said head for impressing a subatmospheric pressure in the compartment in said section in registration with said head; a container sealing element associated with said head and'adapted to be moved into engagement with a'container in a chamber for hermetically sealing said container while the latter is under the influence of subatmospheric pressure; pressure responsive means controlled by the degree of subatmospheric pressure impressed in the magazinecompaitmentfor initiating the actuation of the sealing bar toward' sealing position, and means for equalizing the pressure in said magazine compartment after each container sealing operation has been completed.

12.An apparatus for closing containers, in combination, a frame having a pair of spaced upwardly extending portions; a relatively movable head; means associated with said frame portions for supporting said head; a horizontally arranged shaft supported by said frame; a container carry ing magazine movably supported upon said shaft and having sections arranged to be successively moved into registration with said head; means for indexing said sections in the several positions; means for releasing said indexing means whereby said sections may be moved to succeeding positions; means for moving said head into engagement with said sections; means for establishing a subatmospheric pressure through said head to containers in one'of said sections; means for closing containers" while the latter are under the influence of subatmospheric pressure, and electrical circuit'closing means set into operation by movement of the magazine to an indexed position for initiating the establishment of subatmospheric pressure to the magazine and actuating the container closing means.

13. An apparatus for closing containers, in combination, a frame having a pair of spaced upwardly-extending portions; a horizontal shaft mounted upon said frame; a relatively movable head; means associated with said frame portions for supporting said head; a container carrying magazine movably supported upon said shaft and having sections arranged to be successively moved into registration with said head; means for indexingsaid' magazine in its several p0si-- ij isias mat siorle h n a s bat si r esbemoved to its next s tiessive position; electri- "eaiiyaa '66. means for moving said rods to b n'g'said head member into engagement with a sect on; m ansarranged to periodically move 'saidlcontainer'sealing bar member into ealin indexed positionsforactuating said head into.-en.-

gagement with the magazine for -initiating the establishment, of subatmospheric pressure gto v the magazine and movingi said container-closing means -to container closing position ia-ndmr-essureqespon'sive circuit controlling :meansl -interr :calated with said electrically operated meansj'i-or establishing ,a circuit through v:s'aid latter means 'toeactuate said container closing means wheni-a predetermined .degree of subatmospheric pressu'rehas been attained in the "containersin said 'niagazine. r 14-. Apparatus for sealing containers, 1 in com bination, a frame having :a'spair :of spaced up iright members sa' pair of ;rods.,reciprocably mounted on each of said uprightdmembers; a

head-member mounted-upon said rods and arranged for limited relative movement with respect thereto and 'tob'e' moved' tl'fereby; a con .tainer sealing member oar-ried by saidheadmernbr and associated with said rods arranged ,to, goe moved thereby; container carrying magazine having apluralityof sections, said sections having a plurality of chambers formed therein-ar ean'geu to accommodate containers to be sealed; riieans ror establishing a 'subatmospliric' pressure throu gh said head member'- effective*"-in a plurality of chambers of a section in registration with said head; said magazine being arranged for relative movement whereby said chambers of a section may be successively moved into registration with aid head member; means for indexing said magazine in its several positions; means for releasing said indexing means whereby said magazine may be moved to its next successive position; means for moving said rod to bring said head member into engagement with the magazine; means arranged to periodically move said container sealing member into sealing engagement with containers disposed in chambers of a section; said rod-actuating means being set into operation by movement of said magazine from one position to its next succeeding position.

15. Apparatus for sealing containers, in combination, a frame having a pair of spaced upright members; a pair of rods reciprocably mounted on each of said upright members; a head member mounted upon said rods and arranged for limited relative movement with respect thereto and to be moved thereby; a container sealing bar member associated with said rods arranged to be moved thereby; a container carrying magazine having a plurality of sections said sections having a plurality of chambers formed therein arranged to accommodate containers to be sealed; means for establishing subatmospheric pressure through said head member effective in a plurality of chambers of a section in registration with said head; said section being arranged for relative movement whereby said chambers may be successively moved into registration with said head member; means for indexing said magazine in its several positions; means under control of the operator for releasing said indexing means whereby aid magazine may engagement with a mummy of container dispg'sedin chambe'rs of a section 'said'ele'c call'y actuated means being set into operation by movement o'f said magazine from one position'to fiextsu sd ln -iw v i. H a v r emanat on, a f m s rl r -ed rr c iproca'bly mounted on said lframe; a l 1e ad member mounted-upon said rods and arranged ion-limited relative movement withrespect thereto and to be 3 actuatedythereby a container sealing-member associated with said rods arranged toibe moved thereby ;a container carrying magazine. having a plurality of chambers formed therein arranged to accommodate containers to The-sealed; saidmagazine being arranged for relative movement whereby said; chambers-may be 'successiyely; moved into registration with said head member; means for establishing a subat- :mospheric pressure throughcsaid head member reflective in the chamber in registrationwith said head;- cam-ractuated means for reciprocating said-[rods to move both said head member and said' sea'ling. member; means-for indexing-said magazine in its several positions; electricallyactuated means for operating said cam imeans; control switch for said electrically actuated -'means'; said control switch ada'ptedto be nioved tooperative'ornonoperative position by means associated with said 1 magazine;-- s'aid control :siifitchadapted to beclos'ed toenergiz'e said electrically-actuated means 'upon movement of said maga'zine'from one position to a succeedingtpm isition, and means for "effecting a release offsa'id indexing means after the containers in a magazine chamber have been scaled by said container sealing member.

17. In combination, a frame having a pair of spaced upright portions; a rod reciprocably mounted on each of said upright portions; a head member mounted upon said rods and arranged for limited relative movement with respect thereto and to be actuated thereby; a container sealing bar associated with said rods arranged to be moved thereby; a container carrying magazine having a plurality of chambers formed therein arranged to accommodate containers to be sealed; means for establishing a subatmospheric pressure through said head member effective in the chamber in registration with said head; said magazine being arranged for relative movement whereby said chambers may be successively moved into registration with said head member; cam actuated means for reciprocating said rods to move both said head member and said sealing bar; means for indexing said magazine in its several positions; electrically-actuated means for operating said cam means; a control switch for said electrically actuated means; said control switch adapted to be moved to operative or nonoperative position by means associated with said magazine; said control switch adapted to be closed to energize said electrically-actuated means upon movement of said magazine from one position to a succeeding position; and means under control of the operator for effecting a release of said indexing means whereby said magazine may be moved to a succeeding position.

18. An apparatus for sealing containers while under the influence of substantial vacuum comprising, in combination, a frame; pairs of spaced 19 rods reciprocably' mounted upon said frame; a head member mounted upon said rods and arranged to be actuated thereby'and to have limited relative movement with respect thereto; a

sealing bar carried by said rods; means for heating said bar; a magazine formed with chambers adapted to receive containers movably supported upon said frame; said magazine being arranged to be moved into successive positions to bring the chambers of the magazine into registration with said head member; means for actuating said rods to move said head member into registration with the magazine; means for establishing a substantial vacuum in the chamber in registration with head and effective upon the containers therein;

'' said rod-actuating means being arranged to move said sealing bar into engagement with said containers for sealing the latter While said containers are under the influence of susbtantial vacuum; means for indexing the magazine in its several positions whereby said chambers therein are successively brought into registration with said head member; electrically-actuated means for actuating said rod actuating means; means set into operation by an indexing movement of said magazine for initiating the container vacuumizing and sealing operations, and means for releasing said indexing means for subsequent movement of said magazine.

19. -An apparatus for sealing containers while under the influence of a substantial vacuum comprising, in combination, a frame; pairs of spaced rods reciprocably mounted upon said frame; a head member mounted upon said rods and arranged to be actuated thereby and to have limited relative movement with respect thereto; a sealing bar within said head member carried by said rods; means for heating said bar; a magazine 20 7 formed with sections having chambersadapted to receive containers movably supported upon said frame; said magazine-beingarranged tobe moved into'positions to bring the chambers of the magazine into successive registration with said head member; cam means for actuating said rods to move saidhead member into registration with the magazine; means for establishing asubstantial vacuum in 'the chambers of a section in registration with said head and effectiveupon the containers therein j cam means being arranged to move said sealing bar into engagement with a plurality of containers of a section for sealing said containers while said containers are under the influence of substantial vacuum; means for indexing the magazine in-its several positions whereby said chambers of .a section are successively brought into registration with said head member; electrically actuated means for operating thecam means which operate said rods and said sealing bar; means set into operation by an indexing movement of said magazine for initiating the container vacuumizing and sealing operation, and means under control of theo'perator for releasing said indexing means for subsequentmovement'oi said magazine. v

THEODOR M. REIMERS.

REFERENCES CITED V The following references are of record in th file of this patent: a v

UNITED STATES PATENTS Robinson et a1. Oct. 10, 1944 

